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IDPs want return to Bajaur before Ramazan

By Daud Khattak

PESHAWAR: “We want to go back to our areas” was the single unanimous plea made by people displaced due to the military operation against miscreants in Bajaur Agency.

“We don’t need assistance from government, nor do we want any aid from relief agencies. The only help we need is to let us go to our areas before Ramazan,” said Mohammad Hakim, resident of Khar, headquarters of the restive Bajaur Agency, on Wednesday.

According to official figures, around 250,000 people were displaced. But agencies involved in relief operations say the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is more than 400,000.

Unofficial figures reveal that around 50,000 people have taken refuge in slum houses, tents and in houses of their relatives or friends in different areas of Peshawar.

Hakim, 60, said he and his 18-member family was living in a three-room house with a friend in Haji Camp locality of Peshawar since August 15. “I feel that me and my family is now becoming a burden on my host because it is difficult to stay for long in such a small house,” he added.

Another IDP Said Rahim, who belongs to Loy Sam area of Bajaur, told Daily Times that the government had not provided them any help since their arrival here on August 14.

“Three of my children are suffering from diarrhea and vomiting and I have no means to take them to hospital,” he complained. Rahim said they had left their businesses in Bajaur and were unable to find employment here.

He said government officials and representatives of parliamentarians from Bajaur promise them of relief goods and medical assistance, but nothing has been done so far.

The NWFP government has established camps at Pir Pai area in Nowshera district and Naguman area in Peshawar, but the displaced people are hesitant to stay there because of no proper covering system to ensure “pardah” of their womenfolk.

“How can we live with our families in tents visible from roads and open to everyone,” said Etbar Khan of Charmang area of Bajaur. He is presently living along with his four brothers in Shero Jangai area of Peshawar.

Khan said his family and those of his four brothers are consisting of 36 members, but only one 20 kilogram sack of flour and two kilogram tin of cooking oil was given to them by the government so far. He alleged the relief items were distributed by representatives of nazims of different areas who give the aid to their relatives and friends.

However, officials say the aid from government was distributed through representatives of the two elected members of the National Assembly and one senator from Bajaur.

Haji Samiullah Turabi, president of Bajaur Youth Movement, told Daily Times that the aid given by the welfare organisations and philanthropists is distributed through Peshawar-based organisation, Bajaur Quami Ittehad.

They had lists of all those who were displaced due to the recent military operation. He said there were some others who had already settled since years in Peshawar, but pose themselves as IDPs to get the assistance.

“We are giving assistance to genuine IDPs, whose names have been provided by the Bajaur Quami Ittehad,” he added. Samiullah said the site selected by the provincial government for camps for IDPs at Naguman was unsuitable as it was surrounded by rainwater.

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